We cover all the essential building blocks of art.
Students are introduced to a wide range of materials — including pencil, ink, watercolor, acrylics, collage, and mixed media — and learn to use both traditional and unconventional tools in innovative ways. From sketching and perspective to color theory, composition, layering, value, abstraction, and realism, they explore how to build shapes into forms, understand light and shadow, experiment with texture, and so much more. Along the way, they develop not just hands-on skills, but also conceptual thinking — learning to approach their work with intention, curiosity, and confidence. Each lesson is playful, thoughtful, and empowering, helping students grow not only as artists, but as creative thinkers.
Meet the teacher
Jill hotchkiss
What makes ARTSCOOL truly special is the depth of experience behind it.
Jill Hotchkiss holds a Master of Fine Art from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Florida.
She spent ten inspiring years living and teaching art in New York City, leading classes for all ages. With over 15 years of experience as a professional artist and educator, she brings a deep understanding of both creative expression and how to nurture it in others.
Her teaching is shaped by hands-on, process-based methods, and a deep understanding of both art history and the contemporary art world. Jill brings not only a reverence for the masters, but also insight into the practices of working artists today — helping students connect timeless techniques with what’s happening now in the art world.
She has taught everyone from toddlers to retirees, always with a focus on curiosity, experimentation, and joy. Her background in graphic design also allows her to share valuable digital and technological skills with her students — bridging traditional art-making with contemporary creative tools.
Beyond the classroom, her art practice includes gallery exhibitions, public art, and design collaborations with leading architects and interior designers. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Forbes, and Art Basel Magazine, and is part of major collections worldwide. She was recently commissioned by the City of West Palm Beach for a large-scale public mural entitled Botanical Preserve in South Olive Park.
A graduate of Pine Crest School, Jill is happy to be back in her home state of Florida. She created ARTSCOOL to give back and share her passion for making and teaching — inspiring creativity in people of all ages and encouraging a lifelong love of art.
See Jill’s Fine Art: www.jillhotchkiss.com @jillhotchkissart
MISSION STATEMENT
At ARTSCOOL, we empower students to build strong artistic foundations by providing the tools, techniques, and encouragement they need to create bold, expressive, and technically strong artwork — all within a working professional artist’s studio.
Each project is thoughtfully designed as a multi-step process, layering technical instruction with creative decision-making at every stage. Students learn essential art skills through guided lessons — from drawing and painting to composition, collage, and mixed media — while being given the space to explore, experiment, make their own choices, and express themselves freely and fearlessly.
We believe learning the “how to” is the first step in laying the foundation for true self-expression.
We emphasize process over product — with purpose. Students don’t just learn how to use materials, but why their choices matter — building confidence, creativity, and the ability to bring their ideas to life with intention.
At the heart of our program is the belief that creativity is a powerful tool for building both skill and self-worth. As their skills grow, so does each child’s sense of identity, nurtured through meaningful work they’re proud to create and share.
At ARTSCOOL, we’re not just teaching kids to make art — we’re teaching them how to be artists.
Here, creativity isn’t just taught — it’s lived.